Sen. Mary Landrieu (D., La.), principal author of legislation to address the problem of individual health insurance policies being cancelled, said she welcomed President Barack Obama‘s Thursday announcement on the issue but that further legislative action may still be needed.

“The president’s announcement was a great first step,” said Ms. Landrieu. “We will probably need legislation to make it stick.”

Still, Ms. Landrieu did not promise a major push to force action on her bill. And she suggested that the president’s action could have broad ramifications.

“Don’t underestimate the power of a presidential directive,” she said. “Don’t underestimate the willingness of state insurance commissioners to make this right for people.”

Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D., Ill.) said the White House announcement mitigated the need for lawmakers to make their own legislative fixes.

When asked about moving legislation following a lunch meeting of Senate Democrats on Capitol Hill, Mr. Durbin said, ”I don’t think so at this point.”

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